Superbowl Predictions 2009

By Matt Foust
January 7, 2009


The second weekend of NFL Playoffs action is rapidly approaching, and, with that in mind, it is a good time to look at Superbowl Predictions 2009 at online bookmaker BetUS.com. In the AFC the Chargers, Steelers, Titans, and Ravens are still vying for the Lombardi Trophy; the NFC's combatants include the Giants, Eagles, Cardinals, and Panthers.

San Diego Chargers Superbowl Predictions 2009: The Chargers squeaked into the post-season as winner of the AFC West, but they scored an overtime win last weekend to get by the Colts and advance to this weekend's divisional playoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. They have rattled off five straight wins and are currently a +900 money line bet to win Super Bowl XLIII.

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McNabb to Start Again, but How Long Before He’s Shown the Door?

By JUDY BATTISTA
November 24, 2008


On the day after Barack Obama won the presidential election, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb mused what it would be like for his team to win the Super Bowl and to receive the congratulatory telephone call from the country’s first African-American president.

After being walloped by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, the Eagles are not going to the Super Bowl. And even if they do in the next few years, McNabb probably will not be the quarterback taking that call from the Oval Office.

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Mailbag: Playing so-so a no-no

By Woody Paige, The Denver Post
November 5, 2008


Rich from Colo. Springs laments mediocrity in Denver's pro sports

Woody - I just finished watching another horrible game by the Broncos and then followed that up with the Sharks-Avs game. Each of the four major pro franchises in Denver is underachieving. Which franchise will be first to throw off the shackles of ineptitude?
-- Rich, Colorado Springs


Rich - Interesting. Let me go in reverse order.

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Ignore Pittsburgh's Fans: Steelers Can Pass

By ALLEN BARRA
September 22, 2008


Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger should sue his offensive line for lack of support — and while he's at it, he should file a class action suit against their fans. Pittsburgh fans want to win — they want to win playing "Steelers football," which means strength and running with the pass held back as a secondary weapon. That's how they think they won all their Super Bowls back in the 1970s under head coach Chuck Noll, with the Steel Curtain holding the opposition to under 17 points and Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier running up the gut. It's as if Terry Bradshaw, John Stallworth, and Lynn Swann had never existed.

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Houston loses out to Indy
2012 Super Bowl decision a setback for Texans' McNair


By JOHN MCCLAIN
May 20, 2008


ATLANTA — Houston was the first of three cities eliminated in voting for the 2012 Super Bowl that was awarded to Indianapolis on Tuesday.


On the final day of the NFL's summer meetings, Indianapolis beat out Arizona and Houston for Super Bowl XLVI.

"The voting was close, I'm told, but I have to admit that I'm shocked that we weren't one of the (two) finalists," said Texans owner Bob McNair, who headed the Houston contingent. "I thought our presentation was superior.

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Alexander will struggle to find '08 job

By: Vinnie Iyer
March 12, 2008


The shelf life for an NFL feature back is shorter than ever -- as Shaun Alexander is about to learn. He is about to be out of work and will struggle to find a job in 2008.

Just fewer than three full years ago, Alexander rushed for 1,880 yards, scored 28 touchdowns and was named NFL MVP in leading the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl 40. Now, Alexander's release is a mere formality.

The Seahawks are set in the backfield with newcomers Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. Alexander's release is being delayed by the fact he still is battling a wrist injury and the Seahawks have some time; the team needs only to cut him by the June 1 deadline to avoid taking his $6.9 million salary-cap hit for '08.

Where does this leave Alexander? Well, he turns 31 on Aug. 30, and it could be tough to find an NFL home if the Seahawks wait until after a running back-rich draft to release him.

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NFL Free Agent Signing Season
Jets will make a strong push for Samuel

by Alex Marvez


This is the first in an eight-part series analyzing each division as the February 29 start of the free-agent signing period approaches. Featured today: The AFC East.

Note: Salary cap figures will be adjusted in late February once restricted free-agent tenders and calculations on contract clauses from 2007 like incentives are finalized. The league-wide 2008 cap is set at $116 million.

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Scouting Combine Preview: Defensive linemen

by CHRIS STEUBER, Scout.com
February 18, 2008, 1:59 PM EST


The defensive end class consists of many tweeners who may be asked to switch to outside linebacker at the next level. But there are a few ends who can help solidify a team's front four.


1. Chris Long, Virginia, 6-4, 275

The son of Hall of Fame DT Howie Long, Chris enjoyed a stellar career at Virginia and is the top, most complete defender in the 2008 draft. This past season, he had 79 total tackles, 19 for a loss, 14 sacks and an interception. Long has a non-stop motor and possesses tremendous technique on the edge. He didn't participate in any All-Star games over the last month and will workout in front of scouts for the first time in Indianapolis. Long is a lock to be a top-three pick this April, and his presence in Indianapolis is just a formality so that he can interview with NFL teams.


2. *Vernon Gholston, Ohio State, 6-4, 258

A physical freak and a tenacious pass rusher, Gholston presents a versatile package to a team at the next level. He has the ability to play OLB in a 3-4 defense or continue to play DE in a 4-3. He had a monster year with the Buckeyes, recording 14 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss. Gholston is considered a one-dimensional defender as a pass rusher and is a liability against the run. As physical as he is, he has to get off blocks better and locate the ball-carrier quicker. He's probably better suited as an outside linebacker, but for a team in need of a physical pass rusher, Gholston is your man.

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Super Bowl riding on intangibles
Topping Phoenix, Houston for 2012 event may hinge on league politics, other details

Jennifer Whitson -  jwhitson@ibj.com
February 16, 2008


If Indianapolis gets in the game for the 2012 Super Bowl, the nuts and bolts of the city’s bid likely won’t be much different than those from expected competitors Houston and Phoenix.

All three stadiums are about the same size and were built since 2000. All three metropolitan areas have more than the 25,000 or so hotel rooms required by the National Football League. And all three have enough entertainment venues to handle the parties surrounding the NFL’s biggest event.

The difference will be in the details, intangibles like the atmosphere in the host city. And then there’s league politics. And the weather.

“It tends to boil down to: Where do the NFL owners really want to go?” said David Carter, principal of Los Angeles-based Sports Business Group and director of the University of Southern California’s Sports Business Institute. “We know what we ought to do, but … sometimes we do something that’s more fun.”

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